The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-27
VOICE OF ras PEOPLE.
Mr.. Henry George snd the Appear
To thu Editor nj IN Annaal;

/
,orial columns contain the following; :
"Henry George summarizes his land :
Isx theory In this paragraph. II
''To put taxes on land values would be Z
TO- remove all burdens iron capital ana =
labor to free industry and energy and thr,ft
from restriction or fine; to take away the
ipcsntlyss to specSlat on In ,i land ana aS 70
who would use them, without, as now,
them to pay heavy premium to
some nom user. From the freedom OF op-
Grafton which would mus p9 v n 20 pI
increase in the production Of wealth. Tee
fund from which all incomes must be drawn
would be vastly augmented: And at the
i a arI Rs TSSid S SGI mt opsTa
ton which IL essential 10 the largest pIoduc.
ton Of wealth Is also essential to its fAirest
distribution.
"This 10 no. only opposed to our
theory OF government, that all per-
sons shall be taxed alike. but 1t Ia CD.
surd and chimehca. By this plan
the bllionairiea and mUlionsires
would escape taxation, and the rail-
roads, banks, insurance companies
and all other money making schemes |
and schemers. This would bs ve,y
unfair, Mr.. George. 1t would be Alb
solutely ur just. Toe Jtffersonisn
Demo cratic theory which arlerts that
oil men are equal provides for equality
OF burdens in the support OF govern.
ment. It provides that sirce direct
taxation lie not an available method OF
government support, owing 10 the in.
disposition of the people, the indirect
method 10 justified. Land is value,
as bonds are, and should be taxed ne
bonds ave, or as the merchant II, or the
mar utscturer. To be an equal, q
man must bear an equal proportion
Of the burden Ct government"
Being away at the time l did not see
this is.ue Of your paper, and II was
but yesterday that was made aware
Of these comments Of yours or the
Henry George land value tax proposal.
! have now to request space efficient
to point out to you and to your read
, era several considerations which you
appear to have ignored when writing
} this editorial.
/. It would be extremely Difficult
10 mention any improvement In on
laws which has ever been suggested
a from the Federal compact down Il
prohibition, which Its OPT onents hav
. not stigmstized 90 being opposed :
L our theory Of government" and We o.
! know that In any argument this Is n
= sorted 10 when logic fails. But wis
u does this argument amount TO here
"That all persons shall be taxed alike
certainly does not mean that all prof.
D. erty shall be taxed alike, but simpl
o. that no indiy idual shall enjoy any In
- munity from taxation not equally Of
joyed by all similarly situated. 10 Il
4 sc:.,sol OBJ Constitution and the thsol
, OF our government trsmpled und
10 foot when we exempt from taxatit
Q. our churches, schools, Masonic ter
ples and the like7 Not ct all, becau
ali religious, educators 81 and benev
., lent institutions are equally e
" empted. This may not DO ecu
10 taxatio In the arithmetical senee, b
~ IL 10 In the legal and moral eense. 30
III. tsx land values Is equal taxation, pl
yided ali land values be taxed. A
persons who owned land values Won
he be "tlxed alike" as now 1t Ia the
-, tempt ian sitt mpt which always met
=" with failure most coDepicucus) to I
IL alike all persons who own any spec
ain OF property. And, sir, the SIM
aid question which i call upon you TO O
ght slder 10 this: Would II not be poll
10 exempt from taxation all wealth
eyerythipe which has been produt
! Q by the labor Ct the lndividusl-and
inc concentrate taxation upon grou
- values, which are the creation oil
a growth Of the community III
W." would be polite 10 do this, We a
D. do II, and the spirit Of our institutil
will not be violated In the slightest
lar 2. The exemptions above N
tel. toned have been granted upon
this ground that churcheP, schools
-. benevolent institutions were 9,
V things 10 have and should not be
'en coursged by taxation. This plinci
has been at times extended TO
roads, to cottonmills and maDuisc
SINE ing establishments of al sorts,
with Usually with good results In 80 ia
with, the building up OF a community
A.. its Increase OF prosperity are {
Mr.. oineu. Asn, ia re-,
- y" trade Is benehcent In Its Cd
and should : not be dircours
We fine men who fsht, because
desire TO put q stop to II, aud exc
end men Of good conduct. So you
, a.. read Il Throughout our laws. We
'.' that which We do not want; w
'usn- empt that which we do want.
the We need more houses, more rAilrt
more gin stands, more goode,
to,lr, mtre s,samboats, etc.
inc n therefore, tax those thingsi Why
-, p,ople who produce, keep for ca
'PVo', nae these articlesI IL II not fooli
'verai do sol Is II not 90 impolitic to
led 10 az Il would be TO fine q man 10
!, and good conduct7 to imprison the
body. Who did not steal2 10 hang the
whose hands were innocent oil hu
blood2 / am aware that there ar
'er ferences between these acts, but
~ Oh difference OF degree, rot Of kind.
moro commands Thou shalt not col
lily In murder" and "Thou shalt not I
are not more binding on man
the many commands which o
18Th, upon man the duty Of labor, the
go ness Of work. We have no law '
val discourages the fulflment Of th
dy' msr commands; why should v
decreasing the reward which att
eemAn 10 labor, discourage man from Ia
Pea the latter. IL Il not stupid 10 d
10 Gus a. / have never met any mar
belieyes taxation 10 be q
hing. no one but who would
0 lead that n the reward which
/. Ark. brings were made larger by u
h. ,ha moyal Of taxation from labor pro
~ 'a' the incentive 10 labor would be z
zen DC, and We would have more oil thos'
uon OF things. more houses, steamships
pMlng OF goods, and the like. But tax
Anew' reauirsd. Where shall they
mas SC from? l answer, from land '
IN me What are land vAlues7 Land
10 can are those values which are vi,
MEM tbs toil by reason Of the growth
community aud toe march OF
tlop, and improved msiht de In
iveliest department Of human activity.
m town cant lot, sueh as the one on the